The UK’s nuclear sector plays an important role in boosting growth, creating a resilient energy system and maintaining national security. The industry is poised for significant expansion, with the Government pledging to approve more power plants and reform planning rules to encourage the building of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). However, this growth will require a skilled workforce to go with it. The sector currently employs around 80,000 people, and the industry estimates that there are an additional 40,000 jobs needed by 2030. To meet this demand, in 2024 it was predicted that the number of graduates and apprentices entering the nuclear workforce would need to increase by 220% in the 2025/26 academic year. Achieving this growth will require earlier engagement in STEM education for young people as well as the upskilling of existing workers. How can industry and government work together to build a skilled workforce capable of supporting the future of UK nuclear?

This event will:

• Discuss how to plug the nuclear skills gap across all parts of the industry from operation to construction and commissioning to supply chains.
• Consider different routes into the sector that can promote a diversity of talent.
• Examine how to develop the early career pipelines, nuclear qualifications and transferable skills needed for the future of UK nuclear.